So, our today’s hip roof shingle calculator will help you determine the quantity of asphalt or fiberglass shingles needed to cover a hip roof.
The square footage area of a hip roof is almost equal to that of a gable roof with identical dimensions. However, the major difference is in the required amount of ridge capping and potential waste.
While the top ridge is shorter for a hip roof, the presence of four hips increases the necessity for ridge capping.
Additionally, due to the varied angles of a hip roof, waste is typically higher compared to a similarly sized gable roof.
How do you estimate shingles for a hip roof?
The computed area serves as an estimation only. When dealing with roofs of intricate shapes or complex geometry, obtaining measurements of each segment’s dimensions and areas for a comprehensive total area calculation yields greater accuracy.
Our Shingle Calculator for hip roof is pretty useful for determining the area of various simple shapes that collectively compose the roof area.
By estimating the areas of these basic shapes, a more precise roof area is obtained for utilization with the Roofing Material Calculator.
Different Roofing Materials
In the United States, prevalent roofing materials encompass shingles, membrane roofing, and ceramic tile, each boasting distinct lifespans. Shingle roofs typically endure for 15-30 years, while membrane roofs average 5-15 years. Despite the high initial cost, ceramic tile roofs can last over a century.
What is a role of roof pitch?
Roof pitch, a critical factor in roof cost determination, varies from slope, albeit closely related. In the U.S., roof pitch is gauged by the roof’s vertical rise over a horizontal run of 12 inches (1 foot). For example, a 7/12 roof pitch denotes a rise of 7 inches per 12 horizontal inches. Conversely, outside the U.S., degree angles are typically employed.
The roof pitch significantly impacts cost, area, material selection, walkability, and drainage. Regions with heavy rainfall or snowfall often feature steeper pitches.
Roof pitch directly influences the actual roof area.
Depending on whether the roof area is measured horizontally (perhaps from a drawing or photograph), a correction factor is necessary to determine the precise roof area.
By multiplying the horizontal area by the corresponding correction factor, as indicated in the table below, the actual roof area is determined for use in the Roofing Material Calculator.
While estimating material requirements based solely on the total roof area is feasible, the table reveals significant disparities in the actual roof area, particularly at high pitches.
Thus, measuring each roof segment’s area and pitch and applying the respective correction factor ensures the most accurate estimate of required roofing materials.
Typical Slope Correction Factors:
| Pitch | Angle | Multiply By | Pitch | Angle | Multiply By | |
| 1/12 | 4.8° | 1.003 | 2/12 | 9.5° | 1.014 | |
| 3/12 | 14.0° | 1.031 | 4/12 | 18.4° | 1.054 | |
| 5/12 | 22.6° | 1.083 | 6/12 | 26.6° | 1.118 | |
| 7/12 | 30.3° | 1.158 | 8/12 | 33.7° | 1.202 | |
| 9/12 | 36.9° | 1.250 | 10/12 | 39.8° | 1.302 | |
| 11/12 | 42.5° | 1.357 | 12/12 | 45.0° | 1.414 | |
| 13/12 | 47.3° | 1.474 | 14/12 | 49.4° | 1.537 | |
| 15/12 | 51.3° | 1.601 | 16/12 | 53.1° | 1.667 | |
| 17/12 | 54.8° | 1.734 | 18/12 | 56.3° | 1.803 | |
| 19/12 | 57.7° | 1.873 | 20/12 | 59.0° | 1.944 | |
| 21/12 | 60.3° | 2.016 | 22/12 | 61.4° | 2.088 | |
| 23/12 | 62.4° | 2.162 | 24/12 | 63.4° | 2.236 |
Roofing Calculator for Hip Roof
Instructions for Using the Roofing Material Calculator:
- Enter the length of the building in feet and inches.
- Enter the width of the building in feet and inches.
- Input the overhang of the eaves in inches.
- Specify the pitch of the roof in rise per 12 inches.
- Enter the square footage that one pack of shingles will cover.
- Provide the waste factor as a percentage.
The Results:
- Roof Area: This displays the total square footage of the roof.
- Ridge Length: Calculates the total length of the top ridge plus the 4 hips in lineal feet.
- Starter Strip: Shows the perimeter of the roof in lineal feet.
- Total Shingles Needed: Indicates the number of packs required to cover the roof. Note that this value does not include additional packs needed for ridge capping and starter strips.
How to measure a hip roof for shingles?
- Measure the Roof Surface Area: Begin by measuring the surface area of the roof. This involves determining the length and width of each roof section and multiplying these dimensions. For example, if one side of the roof measures 30 feet in length and 20 feet in width, the surface area would be 600 square feet. Repeat this process for all sections and elements of the roof, including gables, dormers, and valleys. Add these areas together to obtain the total surface area.
- Adjust for Roof Pitch: Roof pitch, or slope, impacts the amount of materials required. Utilize a pitch multiplier to account for this. Refer to the provided table of common roof pitches and their respective multipliers. Multiply the measured surface area by the applicable multiplier to adjust for pitch.
- Understand Asphalt Shingle Sizes and Bundle Quantities: Asphalt shingles come in two primary sizes: 3-tab and architectural. A standard bundle typically covers around 33.3 square feet. Calculate the number of bundles needed based on the adjusted surface area, rounding up to ensure sufficient coverage. Consider purchasing an additional bundle for contingencies.
Other Essential Roofing Materials
- Underlayment: Choose appropriate underlayment material (#15 or #30 felt) based on roof slope. Estimate the required quantity based on the total roof area.
- Fasteners: Determine the number of nails needed per shingle and calculate the total quantity required.
- Sealant: Estimate the amount of sealant required for watertight seals and edge protection. Purchase additional tubes to accommodate potential wastage.
Important Considerations
Please note:
- A standard pack of shingles typically covers 33 square feet.
- However, shingle packs differ in the number of pieces they contain, individual shingle length, and square footage coverage per pack due to the availability of various shingle types.
- Not all shingle types are suitable for use as starter strips or ridge capping. In some cases, ridge caps may be required to cover both the top ridge and the hips.
- Hence, this calculator necessitates input regarding the square footage covered by one pack. Results for starter strips and ridge capping are provided in lineal feet and are separate from the total packs needed calculation.
Different Roofing Materials and their lifespans
| Roof Material | Lifespan | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Shingles | 15-25 years | Inexpensive, low maintenance, easy to install | Less resistant to wind and rain |
| Architectural Asphalt | 24-30 years | ||
| Fiberglass Shingles | Up to 50 years | More expensive than asphalt, low maintenance, easy to install | Less resistant to wind and rain |
| Wood Shingles | Around 30 years | Made from pressure-treated wood, looks better | More expensive than asphalt, requires maintenance |
| Metal or Galvalume | 50 years or more | Made from galvanized or stainless steel sheeting, light | |
| Copper | Up to 100 years | Expensive, aesthetically pleasing | |
| Stone (Slate) Tiles | 50-100 years | Heavy, requires strong roof structure | |
| Clay Tiles | 40-60 years | Heavy, requires strong roof structure | |
| Concrete Tiles | 40-60 years | Heavy, requires strong roof structure |
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Roofing Material Calculator provides a comprehensive solution for accurately estimating the quantity of materials needed for roofing projects. By inputting key measurements such as building dimensions, eaves overhang, roof pitch, and waste factor, users can obtain valuable insights into the required materials. The calculator generates essential data including the roof area, ridge length, starter strip length, and total shingles needed.
With this information at hand, contractors and homeowners can effectively plan their roofing projects, ensuring they procure the appropriate amount of material.
